Taking to Twitter last night, Sacha wrote: “Sadly, tonight I was punched and attacked regarding my views on reopening. I’m fine, but Demi is beside herself. What sort of a world are we living in?”
Demi is Sacha’s other half, who was reportedly present at the time of the attack.
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In a follow up tweet this morning, Sacha wrote: “Thank you so much for all the kind words of support. Totally humbled.
“I’ll always speak up for what I believe in and fight for Hospitality.”
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Thank you so much for all the kind words of support. Totally humbled.
I’ll always speak up for what I believe in and fight for Hospitality.
I’m just pleased it wasn’t this fella throwing the punches.
Sacha Lord has been a prominent figure in Greater Manchester for many years.
Tens of thousands of people have experienced some of the best nights of their lives as a result of his industry leading events – such as the many seasons of The Warehouse Project and over ten years of Parklife Festival.
However, his mission to get pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants reopened at the same time as non-essential retail – arguing that hospitality poses no greater risk than shops – has put him at the forefront of the lockdown fight here in Greater Manchester.
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It’s estimated that the delay in reopening indoor hospitality has cost the sector roughly £7 billion over the five weeks in which businesses had to remain closed. It has also left thousands of industry staff unemployed.
Sacha claimed that the government had been unable to provide evidence for their reasoning behind their roadmap (and decision to delay the reopening of hospitality), and took to social media to confirm that his case was with a High Court Judge.
Imagine punching someone whilst with their wife,because u disagree with them campaigning to get an industry that supports 6m people, back open. What sort of lowlife coward must you be? Trying to tweet sensibly without silly talk,but I’m so mad.@Sacha_Lord is a gent.
This is terrible. @Sacha_Lord has fought tirelessly to save the industry he loves, to keep people's jobs and livelihoods. He has always followed the evidence and never put a single life at risk. Shame on his attacker and shame on anyone who doesn't condemn this. #IstandwithSachahttps://t.co/YKnUOFm1DC
Thankfully, tomorrow, on Monday 17 May, indoor hospitality will finally reopen its doors and welcome customers back into their businesses.
With industry-leading COVID safety measures in place, it’s a time for the sector to once again prove itself as a safe space during a very uncertain time.
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Lots of restauranteurs have gone to great lengths to keep staff and diners happy and safe during this next phase, however, if you’re worried, make sure you call your local restaurant or pub to check what changes have been made.
It’s been a tough year and a half for the sector, but there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel – it’s now time to support them during this hugely important moment.
Featured image – Darren Robinson Photography
Manchester
Popular night-time indie shopping market returns to Manchester tomorrow
Emily Sergeant
A unique indie shopping market is returning to Manchester, and you’ll be able to shop from 50 local small businesses all under one roof.
In case you hadn’t heard, the hugely-popular Night Market UK is back by popular demand, and it will be stopping off in our city centre for one night only tomorrow as part of the current leg of its tour across the country.
Returning to Manchester, but this time at a new location down at Fairfield Social Club in the Green Quarter, the unique night-time shopping experience will be showcasing more than 50 local small businesses – with everything from bespoke fashion items and beautifully-crafted homeware, to candles, artwork, silverware, and more on offer.
Brutal Fashion, Lost in Music, Urban Botany, and Dapper Alice are just a handful of the indie traders you’ll be able to shop from.
With event organisers promising there’ll be “a stall for everyone” to browse on the night, some of the other traders in attendance, include artisan producers, artists and bakers, as well as Fairfield Social Club’s resident street food purveyors Isit Kitchen, and pizza pros Killa Carbs.
DJ Clara B will also be taking over the club’s sound system too, and will be blasting tunes to set the scene all night long.
From bespoke fashion items and silverware courtesy of Brutal Fashion, to dazzling musical art prints from Lost in Music, and sculptural candles from Urban Botany to beautifully crafted homeware by Dapper Alice, there will be a stall for everyone on the night.
A popular night-time indie shopping market is returning to Manchester tomorrow / Credit: The Night Market UK | Kunal Mahesh Tewari (via The Night Market UK on Facebook)
The Night Market UK will open at Fairfield Social Club from 6pm tomorrow (Friday 26 July), and will run right through until 11pm.
Tickets are now on sale from just £4 each, and can be purchased in hourly entry timeslots – which organisers say “keeps the atmosphere just right” and ensures there’s enough space for everyone to be able to stay as little or as long as they’d like.
You can buy on the door or grab your tickets in advance here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Manchester
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.